- Monitor vital signs every 4 hours.
- Maintain strict intake and output measurement.
- Provide small feedings due to the risk of vomiting.
- Burp frequently during feedings.
- Support the child’s head during feedings.
After surgery: - Position the patient flat on the nonoperative side to prevent the CSF
from rapidly draining. - Assess the level of consciousness.
- Monitor for vomiting.
- Assess for infection and VP shut malfunction:
Severe headaches
Irritability
Vomiting
Redness along the shunt
Fluid around the VP shunt valve
Fever
Lethargy - Assess for abdominal distention resulting from paralytic ileus due
to the VP shunt. - The child should not participate in contact sports.
- Explain the disorder and treatment to the family and explain that VP
shunt may have to be replaced periodically to accommodate the
child’s growth. Also explain how to identify infection or malfunc-
tioning of the VP shunt and to call the health-care provider immedi-
ately if it should occur.
Conclusion
There are three divisions of the neurologic system. These are the central nerv-
ous system (CNS), peripheral nervous system, and the autonomic nervous
system (ANS).
When an abnormal discharge of neurons in the CNS occurs, the patient
experiences involuntary movement referred to as a seizure.
The brain and spinal cord is covered by a meningeal covering that can
become inflamed by invading bacterial, virus, fungus, or other microorganism.
This is called meningitis. A microorganism can also infect the brain tissue that
results in inflammation called encephalitis. Encephalitis can lead to the
demyelination of nerve fibers in the affected brain tissue.
The brain is surrounded by cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). CSF circulates
throughout the brain and becomes absorbed to maintain balance pressure. A
disruption of this circulation or absorption results in a buildup of CSF referred
to as hydrocephalus.CHAPTER 10/ Neurologic Conditions^225